Vietnam’s top ten events in 2004 selected by VOV
1. The national economy continued to reach a relatively high growth rate. Exports and foreign direct investment (FDI) hit a record high
Vietnam’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate reached around 7.6 percent. The production values of the agro-forestry, fishery, industry and services sectors registered increases of 4.9 percent, 15.6 percent and 8 percent respectively compared to 2003, creating 1.55 million new jobs.
Exports hit a new high of US$26 billion, an increase of 28.9 percent against 2003. This was the highest export growth rate in the past eight years.
FDI also hit a record high of more than 4 billion in terms of new capital inflow. This was the highest level in the past seven years. This demonstrated foreign investors’ trust in the investment environment in Vietnam.
This year, International donors’ commitments reached US$ 3.441 billion, the highest figure so far.
2. ASEM 5 - an important international political event between Asia and Europe was successfully organised in the country for the first time
ASEM 5 under the theme "Further revitalising and substantiating Asia-Europe partnership" took place in Hanoi from October 8-9, 2004. Delegates and speakers highly appreciated Vietnam’s successful organisation of the event, saying that Vietnam had made good preparations.
Vietnam’s diplomatic efforts at ASEM5 reflected its enthusiasm, dynamism and the unity of Asia and the two continents - Asia and Europe.
ASEM 5 and the beauty of Vietnam, its land and people left good impressions on international friends.
3. Numerous major political and cultural activities were held throughout the country
The celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory and 60th year of the Vietnam People’s Army re-affirmed the invincible strength of the people’s war doctrine, a wonderful creativity of the Vietnam Communist Party.
This year, the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park was recognised as a World Heritage site and the royal court music of Hue as a World Intangible Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO during the Hue 2004 Festival.
4. Prolonged price hikes of many items
Increased prices of essential goods such as pharmaceuticals, medicines, steel, oil and petroleum, the US dollar, gold and construction materials during the year led to a new price level.
Prices of all foodstuff presented sharp increases. Gold prices in the last months of the year hit a record high of VND8.7 million per teal. Oil prices in the world market also topped US$55 per barrel, thus driving up oil prices across the country.
5. The tourism sector reached a high growth rate
In 2004, the country welcomed 2.9 million international guests and tourists and 14 million domestic tourists, earning VND27,000 billion in revenue, an increase of 19 percent against last year.
In 2005, the State will allocate VND550 billion to upgrade the tourism sector’s infrastructure facilities with a view to attracting 3.2 million international tourists and 15 million Vietnamese tourists and earning a turnover of more than VND30,000 billion.
6. Vietnam joined the Berne Convention on copyright
This event had a direct impact not only on the publishing sector, but also on other fields. Experts said that the signing of the convention was an inevitable trend as Vietnam was in the process of integration. The implementation of Copyright and Intellectual Property Law will provide a legal foundation for eradicating illegal publication. Copyright transfer is a controversial issue but will increase pressure for dynamic changes in the market mechanism.
7. The fight against corruption became fiercer
A series of corruption cases were detected in a number of sectors such as oil and gas, trade, and telecommunications. Some high-ranking officers were arrested, including Luong Quoc Dzung, Mai Van Dau and La Thi Kim Oanh.
The Vietnamese Government and National Assembly considered corruption one of the most serious threats to society. The last 6th session of the 11th NA passed the Inspection Law as a tool to combat corruption effectively. During the session, deputies proposed establishing an anti-corruption Committee.
8. The bird flu epidemic and natural disasters caused losses worth billions of Vietnamese Dong to the national economy and social life
The bird flu epidemic occurred in Vietnam in the first two months of the year and spread through 57 cities and provinces. Total losses for the epidemic reached VND1,300 billion, including VND1,000 billion from poultry culling.
The bird flu impacted the foodstuff market, causing high prices of alternative foodstuff products and leaving serious consequences on the environment which have not yet been fully evaluated. In the last few months of the year, the threat of bird flu recurrence appeared imminent.
According to foreign experts, the bird flu epidemic pushed Vietnam’s GDP growth rate in 2004 down 1 percent lower than expected. The H5N1 virus attacked 23 people, killing 16.
Prolonged droughts in the central and Central Highlands, together with other natural disasters such as torrential rains and floods, have wrecked havoc on human lives and production activities.
9. Vietnamese AO victims sued US chemical companies
On January 30, 2004, for the first time after 30 years, Vietnamese Agent Orange victims filed a lawsuit to the US court against US chemical companies.
The suit, launched by the Vietnam Association of Agent Orange/Dioxin Victims against 37 US chemical companies which had produced and supplied toxic chemicals to be sprayed by US troops in Vietnam between 1961 and 1975, caught great attention from the public inside and outside the country.
10. Vietnam’s population increased suddenly
In 2004, the population growth rate stood at 1.44 percent, representing an increase of 1.25 million people to more than 82 million people so far compared to last year’s figure.
The growth rate can only be kept stable in two or three years’ time. The Committee for Population, Family and Children has decided to allocate VND40 billion - the biggest sum so far - for the communication campaign for reproductive healthcare in remote and far-flung regions.
Radio The Voice Of Vietnam - December 29, 2004.
|